In Russia, there has been a sharp increase in the number of requests to human rights defenders regarding how to avoid mobilization
Amid rumors of a possible new wave of mobilization, Russians have begun turning to human rights activists en masse in search of ways to avoid being sent to war. According to representatives of relevant organizations, not only is the number of inquiries increasing, but so is the level of anxiety among citizens.
The “Go Into the Woods” project, which helps Russians avoid participating in the war, reported that it receives between 150 and 200 requests for consultations every day.
The organization’s founder, Grigory Sverdlin, noted that there is a noticeable increase in anxiety among the population.
“It’s not exactly panic, but there’s definitely a lot of anxiety,” he said.
According to a representative of the “Movement of Conscientious Objectors,” most inquiries concern:
- obtaining a deferment from mobilization;
- obtaining a “D” fitness category (non-conscript);
- legal and illegal ways to leave Russia.
Human rights activists also note that the nature of the questions citizens are asking has changed.
“It’s not just the number of questions that’s changing, but also their nature. In the spring, people asked, ‘They say there will be a mobilization in the fall—is that true?’ Now the wording is different: ‘There will be a mobilization in the fall—what should I do?’” the publication’s source said.
He added that “panic is gradually giving way to an apathetic acceptance of the worst-case scenario.”
Oleksiy Tabalov, founder of the “Conscript School,” also confirmed a sharp increase in the number of inquiries, particularly from citizens in the reserve.
According to him, many are interested in questions regarding mobilization orders, employers’ collection of information, and the compilation of lists of potential conscripts at workplaces.
Human rights activists note that these very topics have recently become the subject of increasingly frequent consultations among Russians who fear a new wave of mobilization.
This is reported by Russian human rights initiatives.
As a reminder, the mayor of Lipetsk, the deputy governors, and a number of officials in the Lipetsk region have signed three-year contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense to serve in mobile fire groups.
As a reminder, Putin called for increased support for the war among Russians.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin instructed the command of the Russian Navy to respond “resolutely” to attempts by Western countries to detain Russian tankers. He made this statement during a meeting with the commanders of the Russian Navy’s fleets.
